Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

While I take the point that there are high-level goals, there is nothing wrong in giving specific, practical expression to them. It will enhance the legislation to do so. Later in the legislation, sign language is mentioned "without prejudice to the generality of the previous section", which, in a sense, is a bit loose. It would enhance this section to include the proposed amendment No. 13, so I ask the Minister to accept it.

Amendment No. 14 seeks to establish a quota of mandatory programming in the Irish language. I accept that the legislation cites the promotion of the Irish language and its cultural significance as a high level goals, but I would like it to receive practical expression. On Second Stage, I recognised RTE's extraordinary achievements in the promotion of the Irish language and Irish culture, as well as the success of TG4. While that is clearly on the record, the objective of this amendment is to establish a mandatory quota — a specific, stated level — of Irish language programming. That is an important issue to enshrine in legislation. While Senators may be sincere in their commitment to the Irish language as of today, we must protect the language for future generations. It is an important part of the heritage we pass on to our children and subsequent generations. Our language is very beautiful as well as being a vehicle for our history, culture and heritage. It is highly valued and deeply imbued in us. It would enhance the Bill to enshrine in it the concept of a mandatory quota for Irish language programming. In the same way as an earlier proposal of mine would send out an important signal to the disability sector, this amendment would send out a positive signal to those who love the language and promote it locally through conversation classes and other activities. It would be affirmative for them to note that the Oireachtas was making such legislative changes to endorse what they are doing.

As currently constituted, RTE should have no issue with such a step. RTE's policy is pro-Irish language, culture and heritage, so the amendment poses no threat to that situation. All the amendment seeks is to enshrine in the Bill a requirement that that will continue to be the case. We should be specific about that. It is vital to maintain our commitment to promoting the propagation and use of the language in all our broadcast media. Is páirt d'oidhreacht na tíre é. Tá sé iontach tábhachtach dúinn go léir an teanga a labhairt. Ba chóir go mbeadh sé ráite sa Bhille go bhfuil sé tábhachtach. Ba cheart dúinn an athrú seo a dhéanamh chun a shoiléiriú do gach éinne go bhfuilimid lán-cinnte faoi tábhacht úsáid na teanga.

For that reason, I appeal to the Minister to establish a mandatory quota for Irish language programming. The mechanism for arriving at a mandatory quota can be discussed on Report Stage. I accept that there would have to be professional involvement in some of the issues involved, including the authority and the Minister. There must be a commitment to a mandatory quota, however, setting a level of Irish language programming below which we could not go.

We spoke recently about dumbing down in broadcasting, but let us ensure there will be no such dumbing down of our national language, culture or oidhreacht. For that reason, I appeal to the Minister to examine this matter. I will be guided by him and his officials if they reasonably state that alterations must be inserted on Report Stage, but I would like the principle to be accepted now. It will enhance the legislation as well as enhancing the country. We cannot slavishly sell ourselves out or dumb ourselves down. We should maintain what is good and hold what is central to our being and our essence as a people. Why not be assertive, especially in modern times, as well as being confident about what we are and the great heritage we have. Let us do so today.